A patient with lung cancer is receiving chemotherapy. Why is it important for the nurse to closely monitor the patient's white blood cell (WBC) count?
a. Chemotherapy drugs cause proliferation of blood cells, which can lead to sluggish circulation.
b. Chemotherapy drugs cause polycythemia and can precipitate thrombosis.
c. Chemotherapy drugs depress the bone marrow, which can lead to infection and an increase in WBC count.
d. Chemotherapy drugs attack WBCs and shorten their life span, which increases risk for infection.
ANS: C
Chemotherapy is toxic to the bone marrow, where the blood cells are produced. Numbers of blood cells (especially WBCs) drop after approximately 7 to 14 days, depending on the drug. Chemotherapy does not cause proliferation of cells, although excess immature cells may be present. It is more likely to cause bleeding because of lack of platelets, not thrombosis. It does not directly attack WBCs.
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